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It is Critical to Support Career and Technical Education Programs

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 11:50amadmin

By:

Dan Hegeman, State Senator, 12th District

It is Critical to Support Career and Technical Education Programs

In much of rural Missouri and especially in our corner of the state, Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs are critical to our communities and invaluable to many of our young students. These programs offer students the ability to learn skills outside the traditional classroom in various fields, including vocational agriculture, automotive repair, advanced manufacturing, building trades, and health occupations. The CTE programs that are in our schools today involve a combination of rigorous academics, structured learning experiences and opportunities to earn college credit during high school. These programs have a long track record of better preparing students for post-secondary success, whether those students seek additional education after high school or intend on entering the workforce immediately.

As we look ahead to the future, especially as technology continues to alter the landscape of industry and business, CTE will become increasingly important. These programs truly enable students to graduate from high school with the knowledge, skills and experience they need to take on the complex and demanding jobs of today and tomorrow.

Unfortunately, the support shown towards CTE programs by our local schools and communities is often not shared by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Over the last several years, members of the General Assembly who support CTE programs have had to pass numerous bills recognizing the importance of CTE programs and fighting back against the efforts of those in the department who have sought to eliminate CTE programs. I am happy to join the efforts to support CTE programs and there was continued work this past session towards continuing to support the existence and development of CTE in our schools.

While these bills did not ultimately become law as a result of legislative gridlock at the end of the legislative session, Senate Bill 13 and Senate Bill 172 were introduced and made significant progress this past session. These bills intend to create a career and technical education certificate that high school students would be able to earn in addition to their diploma. The CTE requirements would give students the training they need to be prepared for either additional training or an entry-level career in a technical field, allowing them to immediately enter the workforce upon graduation.

As we begin preparing for the next legislative session, I expect there to be continued discussions on these bills and finding additional ways to promote successful CTE programs. These programs are critical to our communities and the thousands of students who utilize them to prepare themselves to further their education or directly enter the workforce with skills to help them succeed. That is why I intend to continue to do whatever I can to promote and support CTE here in the Show-Me State.

Calendar

TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) will meet at 10:30 a.m. or 6 p.m. at the Community of Christ Church in Cameron.

November 16

The Cameron Public Library will be hosting Get Board – games for adults from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

November 17

CAAC “Dinner and a Show” concert series featuring Gina Reed on vocals. All events held at Cameron United Methodist Church. 210 N Pine, Cameron. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., Dinner at 6:00 p.m., Show begins at 7:00 p.m. For reservations text name of guests to 816-284-0217 or email grhibler@hotmail.com

November 19

The Cameron City Council meets in regular session at City Hall, 205 North Main, beginning at 6 p.m.

The Cameron R-1 Board of Education meets in regular session at the administration building at 7 p.m.

November 22

The Cameron Park Board meets in regular session at city hall, 205 North Main, beginning at 6 p.m.

TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) will meet at 10:30 a.m. or 6 p.m. at the Community of Christ Church in Cameron.

November 23

The Cameron Public Library will be hosting Get Board – games for adults from 10 a.m. – Noon.

November 24

The 3rdAnnual Holiday Faire will be at the Old School from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lots of craft vendors, gift wrapping, ugly sweater contest, scavenger hunt, Christmas Tree Walk Cameron, and more. Located at 116 W 4thStreet in.

November 25

The 3rdAnnual Holiday Faire will be at the Old School from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Lots of craft vendors, gift wrapping, ugly sweater contest, scavenger hunt, Christmas Tree Walk, and more. Located at 116 W 4thStreet in Cameron.

November 25

The Ukulele Club will meet from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. at the United Methodist Church Educational Unit in Cameron